September 11, 2018

North Korea’s Military Parade

“With no long-range missiles on display, North Korea staged a military parade on Sunday focused on conventional arms, peace and economic development as it marked the 70th anniversary of the country’s founding... The parade [highlighted] themes of military accomplishment, national development, and international engagement.” (Reuters)

From the Left

While the absence of long-range missiles could signal a step forward in nuclear talks, many on the left remain skeptical of Kim Jong-Un’s intentions and Trump’s eagerness to declare victory.

From the Right

The right is cautiously optimistic about the latest developments.

Like India, Pakistan, and Israel, “the country may [now] avoid talking about its nuclear capabilities, even though the world knows it has bombs... So looking at this another way, North Korea just acted like an established nuclear power and received praise from Trump for it. That could lead Kim to think the US will accept North Korea’s arsenal as long as he doesn’t boast about it."

“The big question now is what happens with the sanctions imposed last year... As Trump threatened military action against North Korea over its nuclear tests and numerous missile launches, China overcame its usual reluctance to implement international sanctions against North Korea and cracked down on border trade like never before. Now, with diplomatic talks underway, albeit in fits and starts, China has no need to continue blocking North Korean exports."

Washington Post

From the Right

The right is cautiously optimistic about the latest developments.

“The Hermit Kingdom revels in showing off its latest and deadliest toys, especially to mark holidays and anniversaries, so the absence of ICBMs, which can theoretically deliver a nuclear payload to the US, was notable... possibly an indication Kim is making good on pledges to suspend long-range missile development."

Some suggest that the primary audience was not Trump but South Korean President Moon Jae-in: “Kim brandishing the ICBMs would have made it all the harder for the South Korean president to claim that [the] North Korean dictator is negotiating in good faith. In other words, Kim just made it a whole lot easier for Moon to write him a check."

Weekly Standard

Counterpoint: Kim Jong-Un is “willing [to] forego nuclear testing and certain missile tests. He’s also willing to stop showing off his nuclear-armed missiles in his parades. And in exchange, he’s expecting the United States and its allies in Asia to stop complaining about it... But this does not mean that Kim is offering to give up those weapons."

The National Interest

“Trump is lavishing praise on Kim as a manipulation (as Kim is with Trump) while turning up the heat [via sanctions enforcement] to force Kim into denuclearization. This way Kim has room to claim that it’s his idea... Trump needs to hold firm against [relaxing sanctions] and force Kim into real, verifiable concessions first.”